Hospital camaraderie cannot be compared, says volunteer

"Hello, how are you doing? Good to see you," says Honor Cousens, as she pushes a trolley loaded with cold drinks, sweets, biscuits, toiletries, newspapers and magazines.

The volunteer at the Royal London Hospital is a familiar face on the wards, and has been supporting staff and patients for many years.

She is part of the Friends of the Royal London Hospital, a charity that has been running at the Whitechapel site since 1979.

"Every day is different. The camaraderie in a hospital you cannot compare to anything else," Honor says.

Last year, Honor, who is in her 70s, was awarded a British Empire Medal in the New Year Honours list for her work at the hospital.

She has spent years wheeling the refreshment trolley around the hospital's 26 miles of corridors, bringing items to patients who are unable to get out of bed, and to staff who do not have the opportunity to leave the wards during a shift.

Part of her volunteer role is to provide a listening service to anyone with concerns about their medical condition, or those who simply want to talk to a friendly face.

"I've been through what a lot of patients have had to go through," says Honor.

Last year she became a patient at the hospital, after she was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer.

"You would never think that this could happen," she says. The diagnosis and treatment gave her a fresh perspective on how medical worries can dwell on the mind, she adds.

"I can help them by saying, 'Well have you given yourself a little treat today?'"

Honor says staff and patients alike benefit from the trolley service, and the chatter that comes with it.

"It's just absolutely amazing, the amount of people from all walks of life. It's very invigorating," she says.

"You might meet somebody and you'll never see them again. But you've learnt so much and hopefully you've been able to cheer them up.

"We have chocolates, which a lot of patients will buy for the nurses, actually," she adds.

"It's amazing how many people want to talk to you. It is fun, I just want more people to volunteer because it is needed for the patients.

"We have over 700 patients here and it would be nice if we could get round to them all daily."

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